Sales Manager - Sports Tours

Destination Sport Group; Gloucester; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the sport travel industry is seeking a Sales Manager to oversee a small sales team in Gloucester. The role involves developing sales strategies, managing operations, and fostering relationships with clients and stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have extensive sales experience, a passion for sport, and strong interpersonal skills.

Qualifications

• Extensive sales experience, preferably in sport travel.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for stakeholder communication.
• Previous line management experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversees daily operations of the sales team.
• Develops sales plans and motivates team members.
• Identifies sales prospects and manages pre-sale processes.

Skills

Sales experience

Interpersonal skills

Knowledge of sport

Innovative mindset

CRM systems proficiency

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Sales Manager

Mike Burton - Destination Sport Group

This is a hybrid role based in our Gloucester office, you must live within a commutable distance.

As part of Destination Sport Group (“DSG”), Mike Burton creates and delivers major brand, customer, and revenue-focused ticketing and travel programs worldwide, working in partnership with organizations including the British & Irish Lions and England Rugby. https://mikeburton.com/

Reporting to the Director of Commercial for the Mike Burton Group, the Sales Manager oversees the daily operations of a small sales team, develops sales plans, motivates, trains, and mentors team members. This role involves coordinating sales activities and applying techniques to meet and exceed sales targets.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Identifying sales prospects, developing customer interest, preparing quotes, managing pre-sale processes, and collaborating with the Tours operations team to close sales.

• Driving profit growth with existing and new clients.

• Working with internal stakeholders to ensure delivery aligns with promises made, at the right price and quality.

• Growing your sales pipeline, pitching, presenting, and managing the Sales Coordinators' pipeline.

• Regularly reviewing the sales funnel to ensure sufficient prospects for conversion throughout the year.

• Identifying new clients and executing business development plans for success.

Strategic Direction and Management

• Building and maintaining relationships with schools, clubs, groups, colleges, and universities.

• Collaborating with Marketing and Insight teams to develop comprehensive sales strategies, including data, digital, and traditional approaches.

• Fostering a positive sales culture within the team and wider Tours department.

Sales Team Development

• Managing daily sales team operations.

• Setting and ensuring achievement of sales targets.

• Creating strategies to expand customer bases in joint ventures.

• Motivating the team through encouragement, recognition, and targeted bonus programs; addressing underperformance when necessary.

• Training, mentoring, and recruiting team members.

• Monitoring team performance and taking corrective actions as needed.

• Building relationships with customers, prospects, suppliers, and key stakeholders outside the direct team.

• Continuously seeking process improvements and implementing them.

Group-wide Development

• Collaborating with product, travel, accommodation, and customer service departments to develop market-leading, customer-focused itineraries.

• Monitoring sales and pipeline metrics regularly.

• Working closely with tours, product, insight, marketing, and customer service teams to stay informed on customer feedback and market trends.

• Having a strong interest in the school travel market and regulations to deliver exceptional experiences.

Candidate Profile

• Extensive sales experience, preferably within the sport travel industry.

• Passion and knowledge of sport, especially rugby.

• Interest in industry updates and opportunities for business growth.

• Experience managing sales pipelines.

• Previous line management experience.

• Innovative mindset to develop impactful sales strategies.

• Knowledge of key destinations like Europe, South Africa, North America, Australia, New Zealand, and the Caribbean.

• Excellent interpersonal skills for communicating with stakeholders at all levels.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint, and CRM systems.

• Ability to work collaboratively and meet deadlines under pressure.

If you're ready for your next challenge, we'd love to hear from you!